Hockey Stick

ABSTRACT

A hockey stick having a composite blade and a shaft is disclosed. The composite blade includes a heel section that is recessed relative to the front and back faces of the blade. The recessed heel section is configured to be received by a hockey stick shaft or an adapter member configured to connect the blade to the shaft. The composite blade preferably comprise a foam inner core overlaid preferably with substantially continuous fibers disposed in a matrix material and may include an internal bridge structure extending from one side of the blade to the other. The blade may also be preferably comprised of a core comprising non-continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material. In another aspect, processes for manufacturing the previously described hockey stick blade(s) are described.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/327,647, filed on Dec. 3, 2008, which is a divisional ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/485,642, filed on Jul.11, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/826,983, filed on Apr. 16, 2004, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,577on Aug. 29, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/290,052, filed on Nov. 6, 2002, now abandoned, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/663,598, filed onSep. 15, 2000, now abandoned. Each of these applications are herebyincorporated in their entirety by reference. This application claims thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/327,647, filed on Dec. 3, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/485,642, filed on Jul. 11, 2006,currently pending; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/826,983, filed onApr. 16, 2004, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,577 on Aug. 29, 2006; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/290,052, filed on Nov. 6, 2002, nowabandoned; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/663,598, filed onSep. 15, 2000, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to hockey sticks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, hockey sticks are comprised of a blade portion and anelongated shaft portion. Traditionally, each portion was constructed ofwood (e.g., solid wood, wood laminates) and attached together at apermanent joint. The joint generally comprised a slot formed by twoopposing sides of the lower end section of the shaft with the slotopening on the forward facing surface of the shaft. As used in thisapplication “forward facing surface of the shaft” means the surface ofthe shaft that faces generally toward the tip of the blade and isgenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade at thepoint of attachment. The heel of the blade comprised a recessed portiondimensioned to be receivable within the slot. Upon insertion of theblade into the slot, the opposing sides of the shaft that form the slotoverlap the recessed portion of the blade at the heel. The joint wasmade permanent by application of a suitable bonding material or gluebetween the shaft and the blade. In addition, the joint was oftentimesfurther strengthened by an overlay of fiberglass material.

Traditional wood hockey stick constructions, however, are expensive tomanufacture due to the cost of suitable wood and the manufacturingprocesses employed. In addition, due to the wood construction, theweight may be considerable. Moreover, wood sticks lacked durability,often due to fractures in the blade, thus requiring frequentreplacement. Furthermore, due to the variables relating to woodconstruction and manufacturing techniques, wood sticks were oftendifficult to manufacture to consistent tolerances. For example, thecurve and flex of the blade often varied even within the same model andbrand of stick. Consequently, a player after becoming accustomed to aparticular wood stick was often without a comfortably seamlessreplacement when the stick was no longer in a useable condition.

Notwithstanding, the “feel” of traditional wood-constructed hockeysticks was found desirable by many players. The “feel” of a hockey stickcan vary depending on a myriad of factors including the type ofmaterials employed in construction, the structure of the components, thedimensions of the components, the rigidity or bending stiffness of theshaft and blade, the weight and balance of the shaft and blade, therigidity and strength of the joint(s) connecting the shaft to the blade,the curvature of the blade, etc. Experienced players and the public areoften inclined to use hockey sticks that have a “feel” that iscomfortable yet provides the desired performance. Moreover, thesubjective nature inherent in this decision often results in one hockeyplayer preferring a certain “feel” of a particular hockey stick whileanother hockey player preferring the “feel” of another hockey stick.

Perhaps due to the concerns relating to traditional wood hockey stickconstructions, contemporary hockey stick design veered away from thetraditional permanently attached blade configuration toward areplaceable blade and shaft configuration. The blade portion of thesecontemporary designs employ a blade connection member that is generallycomprised of an upward extension of the blade from the heel oftenreferred to as a “tennon”, “shank” or “hosel.” The shafts of thesecontemporary designs generally employ a four-sided tubular member havinga connection portion comprising a socket (e.g., the hollow at the end ofthe tubular shaft). The socket is configured and dimensioned so that itmay slidably and snugly receive the connection member of the blade.Thus, the joint generally is comprised of a four-plane lap joint. Inorder to facilitate the detachable connection between the blade and theshaft and to further strengthen the integrity of the joint, a suitablebonding material or glue is typically employed. Notable in thesecontemporary replaceable blade and shaft configuration design is thatthe point of attachment between the blade and the shaft is substantiallyelevated relative to the heel attachment employed in traditional woodtype constructions.

Contemporary replaceable blades, of the type discussed above, areconstructed of various materials including wood, wood laminates, woodlaminate overlaid with fiberglass, and what is often referred to in theindustry as “composite” constructions. Composite constructions generallycomprised a core overlaid with plies of woven and substantiallycontinuous fibers, such as carbon, graphite or Kevlar™. disposed withina matrix material. Contemporary replaceable blades, employing suchcomposite constructions, are typically manufactured by employment of aresin transfer molding (RTM) process, generally involving the followingsteps. First, a plurality of inner core elements composed of compressedfoam, such as polyurethane, are individually and together inserted intoone or more woven-fiber sleeves to form an uncured blade assembly. Theuncured blade assembly including the hosel or connection member is theninserted into a mold having the desired exterior shape of the blade.After the mold is sealed, a suitable matrix material or resin isinjected into the mold to impregnate the woven-fiber sleeves. Thus, theresin is transferred into the mold after the blade assembly is fitted inthe mold and the mold is sealed. The blade assembly is then cured forthe requisite time, removed from the mold and finished. Experience hasshown that the employment of the woven-fiber sleeve material togetherwith the step of impregnating the fiber sleeves in the mold involvesconsiderable expense due to the cure time involved and the costs of thewoven sleeve materials employed.

Composite blades, nonetheless, are thought to have certain advantagesover wood blades. For example, composite blades may be more readilymanufactured to consistent tolerances and are generally more durablethan wood blades. Moreover, due to the strength that may be achieved viathe employment of composite construction, the blades may be made thinnerand lighter than wood blades of similar strength and flexibility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in one aspect to hockey stick bladessuitable for use in the sport of hockey and the like.

According to one aspect as described herein, a blade for a hockey stickcomprises an elongated member extending from a tip section to a heelsection and having a front face and a back face. The heel sectioncomprises front-side and back-side facing surfaces that are recessedrelative to adjacent portions of the front and back faces. The elongatedmember further comprises an inner foam core and one or more pliesoverlaying the inner foam core, wherein the one or more plies comprisesubstantially continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material.

According to another aspect, a blade for hockey stick comprises anelongated member extending from a tip section to a heel section andhaving a front face and a back face. The heel section comprisesfront-side and back-side facing surfaces that are recessed relative toadjacent portions of the front and back faces. The elongated memberfurther comprises a core of non-continuous random fibers disposed withina matrix material.

According to another aspect, a hockey blade for attachment with a hockeystick shaft comprises an elongated member. The elongated member extendsfrom a tip section to a heel section. The elongated member has a frontface and a back face. The elongated member comprises a core ofnon-continuous random fibers disposed within a matrix material.

The present invention relates in another aspect to hockey stickssuitable for use in the sport of hockey and the like.

According to one aspect as described herein a hockey stick comprises ashaft and a blade connected with the shaft. The blade includes anelongated member extending from a tip section to a heel section andhaving a front face and a back face. The heel section comprisesfront-side and back-side facing surfaces that are recessed relative toadjacent portions of the front and back faces. The elongated memberfurther comprises an inner foam core and one or more plies overlayingthe inner foam core, wherein the one or more plies comprisesubstantially continuous fibers disposed within a matrix material.

According to another aspect, the hockey stick comprises a shaft and ablade connected with the shaft. The blade includes an elongated memberextending from a tip section to a heel section and having a front faceand a back face. The heel section comprises front-side and back-sidefacing surfaces that are recessed relative to adjacent portions of thefront and back faces. The elongated member further comprises a core ofnon-continuous random fibers disposed within a matrix material.

The present invention relates in another aspect to a hockey stickadapter member for connecting a hockey stick shaft to a hockey stickblade.

According to one aspect as described herein, a hockey stick adaptermember for connecting a hockey stick shaft to a hockey stick bladecomprises a member extending from a first end section to a second endsection and having a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface,and an end surface. The first end section comprises a slot extendingfrom the forward facing surface toward the rearward facing surface. Thesecond end section is configured to mate with a hockey stick shaft.

The present invention relates in another aspect to methods formanufacturing composite hockey stick blades.

According to one aspect as described herein, a method for manufacturinga composite hockey stick blade comprises the steps of: (a) providing afoam core having the general shape of a hockey stick blade; (b) formingan uncured blade assembly by wrapping the foam core with one or moreplies comprising substantially continuous fibers pre-impregnated with acurable matrix material; (c) providing a mold having the desiredexterior shape of the blade; (d) loading the mold with the uncured bladeassembly; (e) applying heat to the mold to cure the blade assembly; and(f) removing the cured blade assembly from the mold.

According to one aspect as described herein, a method for manufacturinga composite hockey stick blade comprises the steps of: (a) providing amold having the desired exterior shape of the blade; (b) loading themold with a mixture of non-continuous fibers disposed in a curablematrix material; (c) applying heat to the mold to cure; and (d) removingthe cured blade from the mold.

Additional implementations, features, variations and advantageous of theinvention will be set forth in the description that follows, and will befurther evident from the illustrations set forth in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the description, serve to explainvarious principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hockey stick in accordance with afirst preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the hockey stick illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back face view of the hockey stick blade illustrated in FIG.1 detached from the hockey stick shaft.

FIG. 4 is a rear end view of the hockey stick blade illustrated in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hockey stick in accordance with asecond preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the hockey stick illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a back face view of the hockey stick blade illustrated in FIG.5 detached from the hockey stick shaft.

FIG. 8 is a rear end view of the hockey stick blade illustrated in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom end view of the hockey stick shaft illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 5 detached from the blade.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hockey stick in accordance with athird preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a bottom end view of the hockey stick shaft illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 12 detached from the blade.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the hockey stick illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a back face view of the hockey stick blade illustrated inFIG. 10 detached from the hockey stick shaft.

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7,and 13 illustrating a first preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7,and 13 illustrating a second preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7and 13 illustrating a third preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7and 13 illustrating a fourth preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14E is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7and 13 illustrating a fifth preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14F is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7and 13 illustrating a sixth preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 14G is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIGS. 3, 7and 13 illustrating a seventh preferred construction of the hockey stickblade.

FIG. 15A is a flow chart detailing preferred steps for manufacturing thehockey stick blade illustrated in FIGS. 14A through 14F.

FIG. 15B is a flow chart detailing preferred steps for manufacturing thehockey stick blade illustrated in FIG. 14G.

FIGS. 16A-C is a flow chart of exemplary graphical representationsdetailing preferred steps for manufacturing the hockey stick bladeillustrated in FIG. 14E.

FIG. 17A is a side view of an adapter member configured to be joinedwith the hockey stick blade of the type illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 andthe shaft illustrated in FIGS. 10-12.

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the adapter member illustrated in FIG.17A.

FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view of the adapter member illustrated inFIG. 17B.

FIG. 17D is a diagram illustrating a hockey stick having the adaptermember illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to thedrawings. To facilitate description, any reference numeral designatingan element in one figure will designate the same element if used in anyother figure. The following description of the preferred embodiments isonly exemplary. The present invention is not limited to theseembodiments, but may be realized by other implementations. Furthermore,in describing preferred embodiments, specific terminology is resorted tofor the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to belimited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understoodthat each specific term includes all equivalents.

FIGS. 1-13 and 17 are diagrams illustrating preferred embodiments of ahockey stick 10. Commonly shown in FIGS. 1-13 and 17 is a hockey stick10 comprised of a shaft 20 and a blade 30. The blade 30 comprises alower section 70, an upper section 80, a front face 90, a back face 100,a bottom edge 110, a top edge 120, a tip section 130, and a heel section140. In the preferred embodiment, the heel section 140 generally residesbetween the plane defined by the top edge 120 and the plane defined bythe bottom edge 110 of the blade 30. The shaft 20 comprises an uppersection 40, a mid-section 50, and a lower section 60 that is adapted tobe joined to the blade 30 or, with respect to the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 17, the adapter member 1000.

The shaft 20 is preferably rectangular in cross-section with two wideopposed walls 150 and 160 and two narrow opposed walls 170 and 180.Narrow wall 170 includes a forward-facing surface 190 and narrow wall180 includes a rearward-facing surface 200. The forward-facing surface190 faces generally toward the tip section 130 of the blade 30 and isgenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal length (i.e., the lengthbetween the heel section 140 and the tip section 130) of the blade 30.The rearward-facing surface 200 faces generally away from the tipsection 130 of the blade 30 and is also generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal length of the blade 30. Wide wall 150 includes afront-facing surface 210 and wide wall 160 includes a back-facingsurface 220. The front-facing surface 210 faces generally in the samedirection as the front face 90 of the blade 30 and the back-facingsurface 220 faces generally in the same direction as the back face 100of the blade 30.

In the first and second preferred embodiments as illustrated in FIGS.1-9, the shaft 20 includes a tapered section 330 having a reduced shaftwidth. The “shaft width” is defined for the purposes of this applicationas the dimension between the front and back facing surfaces 210 and 220.The tapered section 330 is preferably dimensioned so that when the shaft20 is joined to the blade 30 the front and back facing surfaces 210, 220of the shaft 20 are generally flush with the adjacent portions of thefront and back faces 90 and 100 of the blade 30. The lower section 60 ofthe shaft 20 includes an open-ended slot 230 (best illustrated in FIG.9) that extends from the forward-facing surface 190 of narrow wall 170preferably through the rearward-facing surface 200 of narrow wall 180.As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the slot 230 also extends through the endsurface 350 of the shaft 20. The slot 230 is dimensioned to receive,preferably slidably, a recessed or tongue portion 260 located at theheel section 140 of the blade 30.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 and 7-8, the transition between thetongue portion 260 and an adjacent portion of the blade 30 extendingtoward the tip section 130 forms a front-side shoulder 280 and aback-side shoulder 290, each of which generally face away from the tipsection 130 of the blade 30. When the tongue portion 260 is joined tothe shaft 20 via the slot 230 the forward facing surface 190 of theshaft 20 on either side of the slot 230 opposes and preferably abutswith shoulders 280 and 290. Thus, the joint formed is similar to an openslot mortise and tongue joint. The joint may be made permanent by use ofadhesive such as epoxy, polyester, methacrolates (e.g., Plexus™ or anyother suitable material. Applicants have found that Plexus™ is suitablefor this application. In addition, as in the traditional woodconstruction, the joint may be additionally strengthened after the bladeand shaft are joined by an overlay of fiberglass or other suitablematerial over the shaft and blade.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 9 of the first preferred embodiment, thetongue portion 260 comprises an upper edge 300, a lower edge 310, and arearward-facing edge 320. The blade 30 preferably includes an uppershoulder 270 that extends from the upper edge 300 of the tongue portion260 upwardly away from the heel section 140. When the tongue portion 260is joined within the slot 230, the forward-facing surface 190 of theshaft 200 located directly above the top of the slot 230 opposes andpreferably abuts with the upper shoulder 270 of the blade 30; therearward-facing edge 320 of the tongue 260 is preferably flush with therearward-facing surface 200 of the shaft 20 on either side of the slot230; the lower edge 310 of the tongue 260 is preferably flush with theend surface 350 of the shaft 20 the upper edge 300 of the tongue 260opposes and preferably abuts with the top surface 360 of the slot 230;and the front and back side surfaces 370, 380 of the tongue 260 opposeand preferably abut with the inner sides 430, 440 of the wide opposedwalls 150, 160 that define the slot 230.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 of the second preferred embodiment, thetongue portion 260 extends upwardly from the heel section 140 beyond thetop edge 120 of the blade 30 and is comprised of an upper edge 300, arearward-facing edge 320, and a forward-facing edge 340. The blade 30includes a second set of front and back-side shoulders 240 and 250 thatborder the bottom of the tongue 260 and preferably face generally upwardaway from the bottom edge 110 of the blade 30. When the tongue portion260 is received within the slot 230, the end surface 350 of the shaft 20on either side of the slot opposes and preferably abuts with shoulders240 and 250; the rearward-facing edge 320 of the tongue 260 ispreferably flush with the rearward-facing surface 200 of the shaft 20 oneither side of the slot 230; the forward-facing edge 340 of the tongue260 is preferably flush with the forward-facing surface 190 of the shaft20 on either side of the slot 230; the upper edge 300 of the tongue 260opposes and preferably abuts with the top surface 360 of the slot 230;and the front and back side surfaces 370, 380 of the tongue 260 opposeand preferably abut with the inner sides 430, 440 of the wide opposedwalls 150, 160 that define the slot 230.

Illustrated in FIGS. 10-13 is a third preferred embodiment of a hockeystick 10. As best shown in FIG. 11 the shaft 20 is preferably comprisedof a hollow tubular member preferably having a rectangularcross-sectional area throughout the longitudinal length of the shaft 20.The blade 30 includes an extended member or hosel portion 450 preferablycomprised of two sets of opposed walls 390, 400 and 410, 420 and amating section 460. The mating section 460 in a preferred embodiment iscomprised of a rectangular cross section (also having two sets ofopposed walls 390 a, 400 a, and 410 a, 420 a) that is adapted to matewith the lower section 60 of the shaft 20 in a four-plane lap jointalong the inside of walls 150, 160, 170, and 180. The outside diameterof the rectangular cross-sectional area of the mating section 460 ispreferably dimensioned to make a sliding fit inside the hollow center ofthe lower section 60 of the shaft 20. It is also preferable that themating section 460 is dimensioned to make a sliding and snug fit insidethe hollow center of the lower section 60 of the shaft 20. Preferably,the blade 30 and shaft 20 are bonded together at the four-plane lapjoint using an adhesive capable of removably cementing the blade 30 toshaft 20. Such adhesives are commonly known and employed in the industryand include Z-Waxx™ manufactured by Easton Sports and hot melt glues.

FIGS. 14A through 14G are cross-sectional views taken along line 14-14of FIGS. 3, 7, and 13 illustrating preferred constructions of the hockeystick blade 30. FIGS. 14A through 14F illustrate constructions thatemploy an inner foam core 500 overlaid with one or more layers 510comprising one or more plies 520 of substantially continuous fibersdisposed in a matrix or resin based material.

The foam core 500 may be constructed of formulations of expandingsyntactic or non-syntactic foam such as polyurethane, PVC, epoxy, or anyother suitable material capable of providing the needed pressure (i.e.,expansion during heating) in the mold while having a suitable or desiredweight or density. Applicants have found that polyurethane foam,manufactured by Burton Corporation of San Diego, Calif. is suitable forsuch applications.

The fibers employed in plies 520 may be comprised of carbon fiber,aramid (such as Kevlar™ manufactured by Dupont Corporation), glass,polyethylene (such as Spectra™ manufactured by Allied SignalCorporation), ceramic (such as Nextel™ manufactured by 3m Corporation),boron, quartz, polyester or any other fiber that may provide the desiredstrength. Preferably, at least part of one of the fibers is selectedfrom the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid, glass, polyethylene,ceramic, boron, quartz, and polyester; even more preferably from thegroup consisting of carbon fiber, aramid, glass, polyethylene, ceramic,boron, and quartz; yet even more preferably from the group consisting ofcarbon fiber, aramid, glass, polyethylene, ceramic, and boron; yet evenmore preferably from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid,glass, polyethylene, and ceramic; yet even more preferably from thegroup consisting of carbon fiber, aramid, glass, and polyethylene; yeteven more preferably from the group consisting of carbon fiber, aramid,and glass; yet even more preferably from the group consisting of carbonfiber and aramid; and most preferably comprises carbon fiber.

The matrix or resin based material is selected from a group of resinbased materials, including thermoplastics such as polyetherether-ketone,polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene, polypropylene, urethanes(thermoplastic), and Nylon-6 and thermosets such as urethanes(thermosetting), epoxy, vinylester, polycyanate, and polyester. In orderto avoid manufacturing expenses relating to transferring the resin intothe mold after the foam-fiber layers are inserted into the mold, thematrix material employed is preferably pre-impregnated into the plies520 prior to the uncured blade assembly being inserted into the mold andthe mold being sealed. In addition, in order to avoid costs associatedwith the woven sleeve materials employed in contemporary composite bladeconstructs, it is preferable that the layers be comprised of one or moreplies 520 of non-woven uni-directional fibers.

As used herein the term “ply” shall mean “a group of fibers which allrun in a single direction, largely parallel to one another, and whichmay or may not be interwoven with or stitched to one or more othergroups of fibers each of which may be or may not be disposed in adifferent direction.” A “layer” shall mean one or more plies that arelaid down together.

Applicants have found that a suitable material includes uni-directionalcarbon fiber tape pre-impregnated with epoxy, manufactured by HexcelCorporation of Salt Lake City, Utah, and also S & P Systems of SanDiego, Calif. Another suitable material includes uni-directional glassfiber tape pre-impregnated with epoxy, also manufactured by HexcelCorporation. Yet another suitable material includes uni-directionalKevlar™ fiber tape pre-impregnated with epoxy, also manufactured byHexcel Corporation.

With reference to FIG. 15A, the blade 30 constructions illustrated inFIGS. 14A through 14F are generally constructed in accordance with thefollowing preferred steps. First, one or more plies 520 ofpre-impregnated substantially continuous fibers are wrapped over a foamcore 500 that is generally in the shape of the blade 30 illustrated inFIG. 3, 7, or 13 (step 600) to create an un-cured blade assembly. It hasbeen found preferable that each uni-directional fiber ply be oriented sothat the fibers run in a different and preferably a perpendiculardirection from the underlying uni-directional ply. In the preferredembodiments each ply is oriented so that the fibers run at preferablybetween +/−30 to 80 degrees relative to the longitudinal length of theblade 30 (i.e., the length from the heel section 140 to the tip section130), and more preferably between +/−40 to 60 degrees, yet morepreferably between +/−40 to 50 degrees, even more preferably between42.5 and 47.5 degrees, and most preferably at substantially +/−45degrees. Other ply orientations may also be included, for example it hasbeen found preferable that an intermediate zero degree oriented ply beincluded between one or more of the plies 520 to provide additionallongitudinal stiffness to the blade 30 or for example a woven outer ply(made of e.g., Kevlar™, glass, or graphite) might be included to provideadditional strength or to provide desired aesthetics. Furthermore, it isto be understood that additional plies may be placed at discretelocations on the blade 30 to provide additional strength or rigiditythereto. For example, it is contemplated that additional plies be placedat or around the general area where the puck typically contacts theblade 30 during high impact shots such as a slap shot.

Once the uncured blade assembly is prepared the uncured compositestructure is inserted into a mold that is configured to impart thedesired exterior shape of the blade 30 and the mold is sealed (step 610of FIG. 15A). Heat is then applied to the mold to cure the bladeassembly (step 620 of FIG. 15A). The blade 30 is then removed from themold and finished to the desired appearance (step 630 of FIG. 15A). Thefinishing process may include aesthetic aspects such as paint orpolishing and also may include structural modifications such asdeburring. Once the blade 30 is finished, the blade 30 is then ready forattachment to the shaft 20.

As shown in preferred embodiment FIG. 14A, a three-piece foam core 500a, 500 b and 500 c is employed. Overlaying the centrally positioned foamcore element 500 b are two plies 520 a and 520 b. In application, plies520 a and 520 b may be wrapped around core element 500 b as a singlelayer 510. Once plies 520 a and 520 b are wrapped around the foam coreelement 500 b, plies 520 c, 520 d, and 520 e are wrapped over plies 520a and 520 b and around core elements 500 a and 500 e as illustrated inFIG. 14A. The uncured blade assembly is then inserted into a suitablemold configured to impart the desired exterior shape of the blade 30 aspreviously discussed in relation to step 610 of FIG. 15A. Once cured,plies 520 a and 520 b create internal bridge structures 530 that extendfrom one side of the blade 30 to the other (i.e., from the inner facingsurface of ply 520 c to the other side inner facing surface of ply 520 con the other side of the blade 30) and thereby may provide additionalinternal strength or impact resistance to the blade 30.

The internal bridge structure 530 previously referenced in relation toFIG. 14A and also illustrated and discussed in relation to FIGS. 14Bthrough 14F may only extend along a desired discrete portion of thelongitudinal length (i.e., the length from the heel to the tip section)of the blade 30. However, it is preferable that the internal bridgestructure(s) extend into the recessed or tongue portion 260 of the heel140 of the blade 30 so additional strength may be imparted at the jointbetween the blade 30 and the shaft 20. Moreover, by extending theinternal bridge structure(s) into the tongue 260 of the blade 30 apotentially more desirable blade 30 flex may be achieved.

Shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C are second and third preferred constructionsof the blade 30, each of which also comprises a plurality of inner coreelements 500 a′, 500 b′ and 500 a″, 500 b″, 500 c″, respectively. Threeplies 520 a′, 520 b′, and 520 c′ overlay the foam core elements. Thepositions of the interface or close proximity of the plies 520 onopposite sides of the blade 30 (i.e., positions where opposed sides ofply 520 a′, 520 b′, and 520 c′ are positioned in close proximity towardsone another so that preferably opposed sides of ply 520 a′ are touchingone another) form internal bridge structure(s) 530′ interposed betweenthe core elements. The function and preferred position of the internalbridge structure(s) 530′ are as previously noted with respect to thebridge structure 530 discussed in relation to FIG. 14A.

In application, the bridge structure(s) 530′ illustrated in FIGS. 14Band 14C can be implemented by the following process. First, a singlefoam core 500, having generally the shape of the blade 30, is providedand wrapped with plies 520 a′, 520 b′, and 520 c′ to create an uncuredblade assembly (step 600 of FIG. 15A). The blade assembly is theninserted into a mold having a convex surfaces configured to impart thedesired bridge structure 530′ into the blade 30 (step 610 of FIG. 15A).The convex surfaces force the foam core structure out of the definedbridge structure region and create a bias that urges the internal sidesof the plies towards one another at that defined region. The convexsurface(s) may be integral with the mold or may be created by insertionof a suitable material, such as expanding silicone. into the mold at thedesired location(s).

Thus, in a preferred application a single foam core 500 is partitionedduring the molding process to create the discrete foam core elements.Such a manufacturing process reduces the costs and expenditures relatedwith the manufacturing of a multi-piece foam core structure as well asthe time associated with wrapping the plies about such a foam structureas was described in relation to the foam core element 500 b of FIG. 14A.In order to create a more desirable blade surface configuration afterthe blade assembly is cured, the cavities 540 formed by this process maybe filled by a suitable filler material 570 such as fiberglass,urethane, epoxy, ABS, styrene, polystyrene, resin or any other suitablematerial to effectuate the desired outer surface and performanceresults. Filling the cavities 540 with urethane for example may assistin gripping the puck.

Shown in FIG. 14D is a fourth preferred construction of the blade 30which also comprises a plurality of inner core elements 500 a′″ and 500b′″ overlaid with three plies 520 a′″, 520 b′″, and 520 c′″. Extendingbetween the inner core elements 500 a′″ and 500 b′″ is bead 590 ofpreferably pre-impregnated fiber material, such as carbon or glassfiber. A preferred construction process includes the following steps.First, foam core element 500 generally having the shape of blade 30 isprovided and a cavity is imparted, preferably by mechanical means,within the foam core element 500 along a portion of its longitudinallength (i.e., generally from the heel section to the toe section) so asto define core elements 500 a′″ and 500 b′″. Alternatively, the foamcore element 500 may be molded to include the cavity, thus avoiding thecosts associated with mechanical formation of the cavity into the formcore element 500. As previously noted in relation to internal bridgestructure 530 of FIG. 14A, the bead 590 preferably extendslongitudinally into the tongue 260 of the blade 30 so that it mayprovide additional strength at the joint between the shaft 20 and theblade 30. The cavity is filled with a bead of preferably pre-impregnatedfibers. The fiber bead may be comprised of a single layer ofsubstantially continuous pre-impregnated fibers that are rolled orlayered to achieve the desired dimensions to fill the cavity.Alternatively. the bead may be comprised of a non-continuous fiber andresin mixture referred to in the industry as “bulk molding compound.”The fibers in the bulk molding compound may be selected from the groupof fibers previously identified with respect to the substantiallycontinuous fibers employed in plies 520. Once the bead of fiber materialis laid in the cavity between core elements 500 a′″ and 500 b′″, plies520 a′″, 520 b′″, and 520 c′″ are wrapped around the foam core elementsas illustrated in FIG. 14D to form a uncured blade assembly (step 600 ofFIG. 15A). The uncured blade assembly then is inserted into a moldhaving the desired exterior shape of the blade 30 (step 620 of FIG. 15A)and heat is applied to the mold to cure (step 630 of FIG. 15B). The bead590 of fiber material forms an internal bridge structure 530″ betweenopposing sides of the blade 30 and is disposed between the core elements500 a′″ and 500 b′″, the function of which is as previously noted inrelation to the bridge structure 530 discussed in relation to FIG. 14A.

Shown in FIG. 14E is a fifth preferred construction of the hockey stickblade 30. In addition to the preferred steps set forth in FIG. 15A, apreferred process for manufacturing this preferred construction is setforth in more detail in FIGS. 16A-C. With reference to FIG. 14E thepreferred steps described and illustrated in FIGS. 16A-C (steps 900through 960) will now be discussed. First as illustrated in FIG. 16A, afoam core 500 is provided and is preferably configured to include arecessed tongue section 260 a′ at the heel section 140 of the blade 30(step 900). The foam core 500 may preferably be molded to have apartition 800 that generally extends the longitudinal length of theblade 30 from the tip section 130 to the heel section 140.Alternatively, it may be preferable that the partition 800 bemechanically imparted to a unitary foam core structure 500.

The foam core 500 is then separated along partition line 800 into foamcore elements 500 a″″ and 500 b″″ and a inner layers 810 a and 810 b areprovided (step 910). As illustrated in step 910 the inner layers 810 aand 810 b are preferably dimensioned so that when they are wrappedaround the respective core elements 500 a″″ and 500 b″″ they extend tothe respective upper edges 820 a and 820 b of the foam core 500 a″″ and500 b″″ (step 920 of FIG. 16B). With reference to FIG. 14E, each layer810 a and 810 b is preferably comprised of two plies 520 a″″ and 520b″″.

Layers 810 a and 810 b at the partition 800 are then mated together sothat layers 810 a and 810 b are interposed within the partition 800(step 930). Preferably, this may be achieved by touching the matingsurfaces of layers 810 a and 810 b to a hot plate or hot pad to heat theresin pre-impregnated in the plies 520 a″″ of the outer layers 810 a and810 b and thereby facilitate adhesion of the layers 810 a and 810 b toone another.

A cap layer 830 is preferably provided and wrapped around thecircumference of the blade assembly (step 940). The cap layer 830 ispreferably dimensioned so that its length is sufficient to completelycircumference the outer edges of the foam core elements 500 a″″ and 500b″″ when mated together at the partition 800 as described in relation tostep 930. In addition as best illustrated in step 940 and FIG. 14F, thewidth of the cap layer 830 is dimensioned so that when the cap layer 830is wrapped around the circumference of the foam core elements 500 a″″and 500 b″″, the cap layer 830 overlaps the outer surfaces of layers 810a and 810 b. As best illustrated in FIG. 14E the cap layer 830 ispreferably comprised of two plies, 560 a and 560 b.

As illustrated in step 950 of FIG. 16C outer layers 840 (only a singleouter layer 840 is illustrated in step 950) and an edging material 550is provided. The edging material is preferably twine or rope and may becomprised of a variety of materials suitable for providing sufficientdurability to the edge of the blade 30, such as bulk molding compound ofthe type previously described, fiberglass, epoxy, resin or any othersuitable material. It has been found preferable, however, thatfiberglass twine or rope be employed, such as the type manufactured by A& P Technology, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of the outer layers 840,as best-illustrated in FIG. 14E, are also preferably comprised of twoplies 520 c″″ and 520 d″″. The outer layers 840 are preferablydimensioned to be slightly larger than the foam core elements 500 a″″and 500 b″″ when mated together as described in step 940.

As described and illustrated in step 960, the outer layers 840 are matedto the outer sides of the blade assembly illustrated in step 950 so thata channel 860 is formed about the circumference of the blade assembly.The edging material 850 is then laid in the channel 860 about thecircumference of the blade assembly to create the final uncured bladeassembly. The uncured blade assembly is then inserted into a suitablemold configured to impart the desired exterior shape of the blade 30(step 610 of FIG. 15A), heat is applied to the mold to cure (step 620 ofFIG. 15A), and then the cured blade 30 is removed from the mold andfinished 30 for attachment (step 630 of FIG. 15A). Notable is that theconstruction process described in relation to FIGS. 16A-C has been foundto be readily facilitated by the inherent adhesion characteristics ofthe pre-impregnated plies 520.

FIG. 14F illustrates a sixth preferred construction of the hockey stickblade 30 which also comprises a plurality of inner core elements 500a′″″ and 500 b′″″ overlaid with plies 520 a′″″ and 520 b′″″. As in theconstruction illustrated in FIG. 14D, extending between the inner coreelements 500 a′″″ and 500 b′″″ is a bead 590′ of preferablypre-impregnated fiber material that forms an internal bridge structure530″″. Around the circumference of the blade 30 is preferably an edgingmaterial 550′ such as that discussed in relation to FIG. 14E. Inapplication, the incorporation of the bead of material may be achievedas discussed in relation to FIG. 14D. Once the bead material is disposedbetween the core elements 500 a′″″ and 500 b′″″, the remainingconstruction is similar to that discussed in relations to steps 950 and960 of FIG. 16C. Namely, (1) oversized outer layers are mated to thecore elements having the bead material disposed there between, (2) theedging material 550′ is then preferably wrapped around the circumferenceof the foam core members 500 a′″″ and 500 b′″″ in the channel created bythe sides of the outer layers, and (3) the uncured blade assembly isloaded into a mold to cure.

FIG. 14G illustrates a seventh preferred construction of the hockeystick blade 30 and FIG. 15B details the preferred steps formanufacturing the blade 30 illustrated in FIG. 14F. In this preferredconstruction, bulk molding compound 580 (i.e., non-continuous fibersdisposed in a matrix material or resin base) of the type previouslydescribed is loaded into a mold configured for molding the desiredexterior shape of the blade 30 (step 700 of FIG. 15B). With respect tothe loading of the mold, it has been found preferable to somewhatoverload the mold with compound so that when the mold is sealed orclosed the excess compound material exudes from the mold. Such a loadingprocedure has been found to improve the exterior surface of the blade 30and the curing process. Once the mold is loaded, heat is applied to themold to cure (step 710) and the cured blade 30 is removed from the moldand finished, if necessary, to the desired appearance (step 720).

FIG. 17A-C illustrates a preferred embodiment of an adapter member 1000.The adapter member 1000 is configured at a first end section 1010 toreceive the tongue 260 of the blade 30 illustrated and previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 3 and 7. A second end section 1020 of theadapter member 1000 is configured to be connectable to a shaft. In thepreferred embodiment, the second end section 1020 is configured to bereceivable in the hollow of the shaft 20 illustrated and previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 10-12. In particular, the adapter member1000 is comprised of a first and second wide opposed walls 1030, 1040and a first and second narrow opposed wall 1050, 1060. The first wideopposed wall 1030 includes a front facing surface 1070 and the secondwide opposed wall includes a back facing surface 1080 such that when theadapter member 1000 is joined to the blade 30 the front facing surface1070 generally faces in the same direction as the front face 90 of theblade 30 and the back facing surface 1080 generally faces in the samedirection as the back face 100 of the blade 30. The first narrow opposedwall 1050 includes forward facing surface 1090 and the second narrowopposed wall includes a rearward facing surface 1100, such that when theadapter member 1000 is joined to the blade 30 the forward facing surface1090 generally faces toward the tip section 130 of the blade and isgenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the blade 30(i.e., the length of the blade from the tip section 130 to the heelsection 140) the rearward facing surface 1100 generally faces away fromthe tip section 130 of the blade 30.

The adapter member 1000 further includes a tapered section 330′ having areduced width between the front and back facing surfaces 1070 and 1080.The tapered section 330′ is preferably dimensioned so that when theadapter member 1000 is joined to the blade 30 the front and back facingsurfaces 1070, 1080 are generally flush with the adjacent portions ofthe front and back faces 90 and 100 of the blade 30.

The first end section 1010 includes an open-ended slot 230′ that extendsfrom the forward facing surface 1090 of narrow wall 1050 preferablythrough the rearward facing surface 1100 of narrow wall 1060. The slot230′ also preferably extends through the end surface 1110 of the adaptermember 1000. The slot 230′ is dimensioned to receive, preferablyslidably, the recessed tongue portion 260 located at the heel section140 of the blade 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7.

As previously discussed in relation to the shaft illustrated in FIGS.1-2 and 5-6, when the slot 230′ is joined to the tongue portion 260, theforward facing surface 1090 on either side of the slot 230′ opposes andpreferably abuts the front and back side shoulders 280, 290 of the blade30 to form a joint similar to an open slot mortise and tongue joint. Inaddition, the rearward-facing edge 320 of the tongue 260 is preferablyflush with the rearward facing surface 1100 of the adapter member 1000on either side of the slot 230′; the upper edge 300 of the tongue 260opposes and preferably abuts with the top surface 360′ of the slot 230′;and the front and back side surfaces 370, 380 of the tongue 260 opposeand preferably abut with the inner sides 430′, 440′ of the wide opposedwalls 1030 and 1040 of the adapter member 1000.

Moreover, when joined to the blade 30 configuration illustrated in FIG.3, the end surface 1110 of the adapter member 1000 on either side of theslot 230′ is preferably flush with the lower edge 310 of the tongue 260.Alternatively, when joined to the blade 30 configuration illustrated inFIG. 7, the end surface 1110 of the adapter member 1000 on either sideof the slot 230′ opposes and preferably abuts shoulders 240 and 250 andthe forward facing edge 340 of the tongue 260 is preferably flush withthe forward facing surface 1090 of the adapter member 1000 on eitherside of the slot 230′.

The second end section 1020 of the adapter member 1000, as previouslystated is preferably configured to be receivable in the hollow of theshaft 20 previously described and illustrated in relation to FIGS. 10-12and includes substantially the same configuration as the mating section460 described in relation to FIGS. 10-13. In particular, the second endsection 1020 in a preferred embodiment is comprised of a rectangularcross section having two sets of opposed walls 1030 a, 1040 a and 1050a, 1060 a that are adapted to mate with the lower section 60 of theshaft 20 in a four-plane lap joint along the inside of walls 150, 160,170, and 180 (best illustrated in FIG. 11). The outside diameter of therectangular cross-sectional area of the second end section 1020 ispreferably dimensioned to make a sliding fit inside the hollow center ofthe lower section 60 of the shaft 20. Preferably, the adapter member1000 and shaft 20 are bonded together at the four-plane lap joint usingan adhesive capable of removably cementing the adapter member 1000 tothe shaft 20 as previously discussed in relation FIGS. 10-13.

It is to be understood that the adapter member 1000 may be comprised ofvarious materials including the composite type constructions previouslydiscussed (i.e., substantially continuous fibers disposed within a resinand wrapped about a foam core as illustrated in FIG. 14A-E,non-continuous fibers disposed in a resin as illustrated in FIG. 14F)and may also be constructed of wood or wood laminate or wood or woodlaminate overlaid with outer protective material such as fiberglass. Itis noted that when constructed of wood, a player may obtain the desiredwood construction “feel” while retaining the performance of a compositeblade construction since the adapter member 1000 joining the blade andthe shaft would be comprised of wood.

Illustrated in FIG. 17D is a perspective view of a hockey stickcomprising the blade 30 illustrated in FIG. 3, the adapter member 1000illustrated in FIGS. 17A-C, and the shaft 20 illustrated in FIGS. 10-12.

It is to be appreciated and understood that shafts 20, illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, may be constructed of various materials includingwood or wood laminate or wood or wood laminate overlaid with outerprotective material such as fiberglass. Such a shaft 20 construction incombination with the blade 30 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and 17D theconstruction of which being illustrated in FIGS. 14A-G, 15A-B, and 16A-Cresults in a unique hybrid hockey stick configuration (i.e., atraditional “wood” shaft attached to a “composite” blade), which mayprovide the desired “feel” sought by hockey players and the public.

In addition, it should be also understood that while all or a portion ofthe recessed tongue portion 260 of the heel 140 may be comprised of afoam core overlaid with plies of substantially continuous fibersdisposed in a matrix material; it may also be preferable that all or aportion of the recessed tongue portion 260 of the heel 140 be comprisedof plies of substantially continuous fibers disposed in a matrixmaterial without a foam core. Such a construction may comprise of abuild-up of additional plies relative to the other portion of the bladeand may improve the rigidity of the joint and provide a more desirableflex as was described in relation to the internal bridge structures) 530described in relation to FIGS. 14A through 14F.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presentlyconsidered to be preferred embodiments and features of the presentinvention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularelement, feature or implementation to the teachings of the presentinvention without departing from the central scope of the invention.Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed herein, but that the invention includeall embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for making a hockey stick blade comprising: providing one ormore inner core components; wrapping the inner core components with oneor more plies of fibers to form a hockey stick blade pre-form structurehaving front and back facing walls, each wall defining an exteriorfacing surface and an interior facing surface; placing the hockey stickblade pre-form structure into a mold configured to impart the desiredexterior shape of a hockey stick blade including one or more incurvedregions that define an exterior cavity on the exterior surface of atleast one of the front or back facing walls; curing the blade pre-formstructure; and removing the cured blade structure from the mold.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of filling an exteriorcavity, at least partially, with a filler material that is dissimilarfrom the material that forms the wall of the incurved region thatdefines the exterior cavity.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thefiller material is comprised of a material selected from the groupconsisting of fiberglass, urethane, epoxy, ABS, styrene, polystyrene,and resin.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior facing surfaceof one of said front or back facing walls, at an incurved region,extends to the interior facing surface of the opposing wall.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the interior facing surface of one of saidfront or back facing walls, at an incurved region, extends toward andmeets the interior facing surface of the opposing wall.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the interior facing surface of one of said front orback facing walls, at an incurved region, extends toward and adjoins theinterior facing surface of the opposing wall.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein both the front and back facing walls include generally opposingincurved regions that define respective exterior cavities.
 8. The methodof claim 7, further comprising the step of filling said exteriorcavities, at least partially, with a filler material that is dissimilarfrom the material that forms the walls of the incurved regions thatdefine the exterior cavities.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein thefiller material is comprised of a material selected from the groupconsisting of fiberglass, urethane, epoxy, ABS, styrene, polystyrene,and resin.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the interior facingsurfaces of said front and back facing walls at the generally opposingincurved regions extend toward one another.
 11. The method of claim 7,wherein the interior facing surfaces of said front and back facing wallsat the generally opposing incurved regions extend toward and meet oneanother.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the interior facing surfacesof said front and back facing walls at the generally opposing incurvedregions extend toward and adjoin with one another.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more plies of fibersincludes substantially continuous fibers disposed within a hardenedmatrix material.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of theone or more plies of fibers includes aligned fibers disposed within ahardened matrix material.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the one or more plies of fibers is disposed within a hardenedmatrix material in a first defined orientation while at least one of theone or more plies of fibers are disposed within a hardened matrixmaterial in a second defined orientation, wherein said first and seconddefined orientations are different from one another.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the inner core components is formed ofa foam material.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the hockey stick isconfigured to be detachably coupled to a hockey stick shaft.
 18. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the hockey stick is configured to bepermanently attached to a hockey stick shaft.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein the hockey stick is permanently attached to a hockey stickshaft.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the mold is configured toinclude a convex surface to impart at least one of the incurved regions.